Dick Butkus Award: Iowa LB Christian Kirksey

Matthew Holst/Getty ImagesIowa's Christian Kirskey is a top-notch linebacker. He had two sacks in 2012.

If Christian Kirksey played at a higher-profile program, he'd most likely be more than a long shot for the Dick Butkus Award.

As a junior in 2012, Kirksey, a permanent team captain at Iowa, recovered four fumbles, second most in the nation and tied for the lead in the Big Ten. He's durable, as evidenced by his 25-game start streak. And at 6'2" and 235 pounds, he has the size to dish out and take punishment.

Last season, he was among the Big Ten's top tacklers with 95 stops and two sacks. He averaged 7.9 tackles per game.

Bronko Nagurski: Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier

Jamie Sabau/Getty ImagesAnother big game against Michigan may lock up a couple defensive awards for Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier.

Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier has elite-level talent, but in Defensive Player of the Year consideration, he lacks the hype of, say, South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney.

As a sophomore in 2012, Shazier had 115 tackles, second most in the Big Ten, along with 11 pass deflections and five sacks. He'll be a key factor for the Buckeyes, who are favorites to win the Big Ten after going 12-0 a year ago.

Chuck Bednarik: Arizona State DT/DE Will Sutton

Arizona State senior Will Sutton is versatile enough to play tackle or end, and he's certainly worthy of consideration for the Chuck Bednarik Award, another piece of hardware given to the nation's top defender.

Rimington: Toledo C Zac Kerin

Zac Kerin (No. 67) doesn't get a lot of attention because he's in the MAC. But he's one of the nation's best centers.

In 2012, Zac Kerin, the Toledo Rockets' 6'5", 300-pound center, was partly responsible for the success of running back David Fluellen, who was the nation's 12th-leading rusher with 1,498 yards.

This season, they both return as seniors. Kerin is more experienced, and Fluellen could have another incredible year. Kerin should benefit by playing for a team that ranked third in total offense this past season in the Mid-American Conference.

Lombardi: UCLA LB Anthony Barr

USA TODAY SportsUCLA's Anthony Barr could be a top-10 pick in the 2014 NFL draft.

This past season, Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o took home the Lombardi Award. In 2011, Boston College's Luke Kuechly won it. This year, UCLA's Anthony Barr could be the third straight linebacker to do so.

John Mackey: Michigan TE Devin Funchess

As a freshman in 2012, Devin Funchess quickly gained recognition in the Big Ten for his ability on the field. This fall, he could certainly bloom into one of the top tight ends in the nation as he becomes more of a focal point of the offense.

In 2013, Funchess will play in an offense predicated on distribution. Call him a long shot, which he is, but don't forget about him. He doesn't have the same name recognition as someone like South Carolina's Rory Anderson, who is considered one of the best in college football, but he's playing on a team that's geared for production from the tight end spot.

Davey O'Brien: Texas QB David Ash

Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY SportsTexas QB David Ash stepped up his game during the offseason.

David Ash's offseason was all about improvement

Consider it mission accomplished. And consider Ash an outside candidate for the O'Brien, given to the best signal-caller in the nation.

First, the Texas junior quarterback "wowed" coach Mack Brown, according to Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. That's a positive sign in itself. Second, he has dramatically improved his leadership.

His stat line from 2012 wasn't bad: 2,699 yards, 19 touchdowns, eight interceptions. But that offseason improvement should lead to even better results this season.

Home Depot: UCLA's Jim Mora

USA TODAY SportsJim Mora has UCLA climbing in the Pac-12.

Football and Jim Mora go together like cheerleaders and pom-poms.

Now entering his second year at UCLA, Mora appears to be directing the Bruins in the right direction. In 2012, he coached them to nine wins, their most since 2005. He's recruiting well, too, according to Rivals.com.

Because of his work, Mora's Bruins are favorites to win the Pac-12 South. Should they succeed, it'd be their second straight division championship under Mora, who took over coaching duties in 2012.

Walter Camp: Georgia RB Todd Gurley

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY SportsGeorgia's Todd Gurley is one of the nation's top RBs.

The Walter Camp is sort of like a third-place Heisman.

Figure Georgia sophomore running back Todd Gurley to be in the equation.

In 2012, Gurley was the SEC's second-leading rusher with 1,385 yards. He finished just behind Texas A&M's Heisman-winning quarterback, Johnny Manziel, who had 1,410 yards. His 17 touchdown runs were also second to Manziel's 21.

Gurley has a shot at the Heisman, too. But quarterbacks have always been favored to win this award, and that trend continues this season.

Maxwell Award: Michigan OT Taylor Lewan

The Michigan senior is on the Maxwell watch list because he's simply one of the best players in college football, regardless of position. However, the Maxwell typically goes to a Heisman runner-up or a Heisman winner. Although Lewan has Heisman-esque qualities—leadership and ability—it's doubtful that he'll be considered for it.

Maybe in another day and age, but not in 2013.

Lewan is projected to be an early first-rounder in the 2014 NFL draft.

Heisman: Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon

The Heisman is college football's highest individual honor, but it's usually more of a popularity contest than an objective analysis of which player is the game's best.

Everyone knows the favorites. But if you are stuck to find a sleeper, Alabama sophomore running back T.J. Yeldon is your guy.

At times as a freshman, Yeldon looked like an NFL-ready back. While he only cracked 100 yards five times in 2012, Yeldon played well against big-time opponents such as Michigan, LSU, Georgia and Notre Dame, which lost 42-14 to the Tide in the BCS title game.

He was the SEC's sixth-leading rusher, which may not sound Heisman-worthy, but take a look at his line: 175 carries, 1,108 yards and 12 touchdowns.